Khamzat Chimaev: “I want to smash Paulo Costa”

Welterweight contenders, Khamzat Chimaev, and Paulo Costa appeared to be heading towards each other in recent weeks and months.

The two have frequently exchanged barbs on social media and in interviews after a close call during UFC 279 fight week in September of last year, leading to rumours of a confrontation inside the Octagon.

Contrary to rumours, though, Costa recently had a different bout confirmed during the most recent round of live-video fight announcements from Dana White. The two were reportedly set up for a clash at the planned Abu Dhabi-held card in October.

At UFC 291, which will take place in Salt Lake City on July 29, "Borrachinha," who is now rated #5 in the 185-pound division, will make a comeback to take on unranked prospect Ikram Aliskerov.

"Paulo has like, spoken a lot of sh*t about me. That guy, I want to smash him. I want to kill this guy," Chimaev said in a YouTube video. "I was doing a lot of things and he wants to fight with the other guy. The guy, I fought him a long time before. Three or four years ago, before UFC. I win against the guy.

"I think the guy will beat him (Costa) as well. Paulo is not good. He's sh*t, bro. He just talks too much," Chimaev continued. "He beat nobody. A close fight against Romero, only fighter he wins against. Other people, I don't know. Nobody knows these guys. I don't know who he beat."

Given that Chimaev is rumoured to have a future at 185 pounds after his significant weight cut last year, it seems logical that the victor of Costa vs. Aliskerov would pursue a matchup with the Chechen-born Swede in the future.